The Surprising Effect Marriage Can Have On Your Health

Scientists have long claimed that marriage can help protect your health. However, a new study in Social Science Quarterly called ‘Does Marriage Protect Health? A Birth Cohort Comparison’ might have you running back up the aisle.

The study looked at married people born between 1955 and 1984. It found that while the older folks might have gained health benefits along with their wedding rings, this effect has lessened over time. Oh.

If you’re an older woman who’s been married for 10+ years – you’re in luck. There may still be some health perks. However, study author Dmitry Tumin points out that “the modest benefit of marriage for women's subjective health has eroded in recent cohorts”. Ie, it’s not great news for newlyweds.

A previous study by Tumin also found that, over a two-year period, women who married were 46% more likely to gain a large amount of weight than women who remained unmarried.